Charcoal skin patch

ABSTRACT

A patch for topical application to the skin includes a charcoal based composition applied to an impervious backing sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the charcoal composition is provided in the form of a slice or layer of generally uniform thickness and includes activated charcoal combined with a host material.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of patentapplication Ser. No. 09/405,909 filed on Sep. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat No.6,353,145.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the use of charcoal in human and animalpathology and, more particularly, to a topically applied skin patchcontaining activated charcoal for adsorbing toxins, bacteria, fungus,carcinogens, and other pathogens in the treatment of bites, stings,injuries, disease and other disorders.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Charcoal is a black or dark colored porous form of carbon derived fromvegetable or animal substances. Charcoal, either wood preserved bycharring (i.e. carbo vegetabilis) or organic materials or bones preparedthrough distillation (i.e. carbo animalis), has many known beneficialproperties, such as the ability to adsorb toxic or noxious gasses,disease, germs, fluid toxic wastes and heavy metals. Charcoal is knownto be an effective adsorbent of toxins in the body, and is thus capableof cleansing and healing the body. The present invention uses wood basecharcoal (i.e. carbo vegetabilis) which contains about 90% carbon.Sources of wood base charcoal include, but are not limited to, willow,eucalyptus, pine, oak and maple.

Activated charcoal is produced by a controlled burning or charring ofthe starting material, such as wood or bone, and contact with anoxidizing gas, pressurized steam, or a strong acid. Certainelectrostatic properties develop in activated charcoal during productionwhich favor the binding of many poisons. The resultant charcoalparticles have thousands of crevices, pits, grooves, and holes, which,when opened out, create an enlarged specific surface area that providesan enhanced adsorbtive capacity. In fact, one cubic centimeter ofactivated charcoal will have a surface area of up to 1,000 squaremeters.

As described e.g. in a book by A. Thrash, M. D. and C. Thrash, M. D.,Charcoal, Family Health Publications, LLC, 1988, charcoal compressescontaining, in addition to charcoal, corn starch or flax seed have beenknown for application to body surfaces on a fabric pad, such as for thetreatment or palliation of animal stings and bites. Hops or smartweed isknown to be added to the charcoal material of such compresses, withfresh or dried leaves added to the charcoal material. These compressescan be applied hot, or a heating pad can be applied over them.

In the related art, U.S. Pat. No. 322,664 discloses a method ofproducing carbonized vegetable matter, referred to as carbon wool, foran antiseptic dressing. U.S. Pat. No. 2,690,415 relates to an odoradsorbent bandage or dressing for covering odoriferous wounds, corpsesand other noxious bodies. The bandage has an adhesive coated web, suchas gauze and an odor absorbent material, such as activated carbon.

Objects and Advantages of the Invention

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a safe andinexpensive product for topical application to the skin in order toadsorb toxins.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a safe andinexpensive skin patch containing activated charcoal for adsorbingtoxins, bacteria, fungus, carcinogens, and other pathogens.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a safeand inexpensive skin patch containing activated charcoal which adsorbstoxins, bacteria, fungus, carcinogens and other harmful pathogens in thetreatment of bites, stings, injuries, disease and other disorders.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a safeand inexpensive charcoal skin patch which is adapted to remove poisonand inflammation of the skin tissue caused from poison plants, insects,and reptiles, such as poison ivy, bee stings, yellow jacket stings,brown recluse, black widow spider stings, and other spider bites, snakebites, fire ant bites, mosquito bites, chigger bites, and scorpionstings.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a safeand inexpensive charcoal skin patch which is structured to deliveroxygen to the skin tissue for healing damaged skin tissue, such as indiabetic gangrene and burns.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a safeand inexpensive charcoal skin patch which is adapted to remove odor andadsorb infection from bedsores, diabetic ulcers, eczema, gum disease,teeth, kidney, liver, sinus, and around tubes for feeding or draining.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a safeand inexpensive charcoal skin patch which heals lesions on the skin byadsorbing bacteria, fungus, viruses, bacterial toxins, carcinogens, andproducts of allergies.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a safeand inexpensive charcoal skin patch which is adapted to reduce swellingof the skin by adsorbing excess tissue fluid and products ofinflammation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are more readilyapparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a patch for topical application tothe skin for the purpose of adsorbing toxins, bacteria, fungus,carcinogens, and other harmful pathogens in the treatment of bites,stings, injuries, disease and other disorders. The skin patch includes acharcoal based composition which is applied to an impervious backingsheet. In a preferred embodiment, the charcoal composition comprisesactivated charcoal combined with one or more host materials to produce asolid gel-like substance which can be sliced or otherwise formed as alayer of uniform thickness for application to the impervious backingsheet. In one embodiment, an enlarged surface of the charcoalcomposition is exposed, after removing a protective film, for directapplication to the skin. In another embodiment, the layer of charcoalcomposition is covered by a permeable sheet such as paper (e.g. filterpaper similar to that used in the manufacture of a tea bag). In yetanother embodiment, the charcoal composition is contained within aporous container or envelope. The porous envelope may be made of paper,gauze, felt or other like materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the charcoal composition is comprised ofactivated charcoal combined with psyllium husk. Other suitable hostmaterials are contemplated and are described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the skin patch ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a package for containing the skinpatch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating separation of aprotective film from the skin patch in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a package for containing theskin patch of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 6;

FIG. 5 is an isolated cross-sectional view showing the skin patch ofFIG. 3 applied to the surface of the skin of a user in accordance withone embodiment thereof; and

FIG. 6 is an isolated cross-sectional view showing an alternativeembodiment of the skin patch applied to the skin surface of a user.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of theinvention is shown. In FIG. 1, the skin patch, in accordance with oneembodiment, is shown and is generally indicated as 1. The charcoalcomposition, comprising activated charcoal and a host material, iscontained within a porous envelope 3, such as of paper, gauze or felt.The porous envelope 3 is applied to an impervious backing sheet 5 sothat an outer adhesive surface 7 of the backing sheet surrounds theenvelope 3. The outer adhesive 7 may either be pressure applicable to askin surface, or can be moisture activated for the same purpose. If theadhesive is of a self-stick type, a peel-away protector strip 9 can beapplied over the adhesive 7, and peeled away before the application ofthe patch to a body surface. When applied to the skin, the envelope 3containing the charcoal composition of the present invention shouldcover the area being treated (e.g. bee sting, insect bite, poison ivyrash, open sore, etc.). It is important that the exposed surface 11 ofthe porous envelope 3 be structured and disposed to permit unobstructedtransfer of toxins and other substances adsorbed by the charcoalcomposition. When applied to the skin, the impervious backing sheetfaces away from the surface applied to the body, so that no moisture canescape from the envelope 3.

Suitably one or more skin patches of the type shown in FIG. 1 can bepackaged in a water impermeable packaging 12 which may be structured forcontaining and maintaining the one or more skin patches in a wet orgenerally moist condition until the skin patch(s) is removed for use.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. Specifically, FIGS. 3 and 5 show the skin patch 20to include an impervious backing sheet 24 with the activated charcoalcomposition 26 positioned thereon and surrounded by a peripheral zone 25of the top side of the backing sheet. Preferably, the peripheral zone 25includes an adhesive substance thereon similar to that described inconnection with the embodiment of FIG. 1. A peel-away protective film 30covers the peripheral zone 25 and the adhesive thereon, as well as theexposed surface 28 of the activated charcoal composition 26 in order tomaintain moisture in the composition 26 and to protect the adhesiveperipheral zone 25, particularly if the adhesive is of the self-sticktype. Just prior to application of the skin patch 20 to the user's skin,the protective film 30 is removed to expose the adhesive on theperipheral zone 25 and the surface 28 of the activated charcoalcomposition. When applied to the skin, the exposed surface 28 of thecharcoal composition 26 should cover the area being treated, in directcontact therewith. By applying slight pressure to the opposite side ofthe backing sheet 24, the adhesive on the outer peripheral zone 25 willremovably adhere to the skin, thereby holding moisture between thebacking sheet and the skin.

FIG. 4 illustrates a suitable package for containing the skin patch inFIGS. 3 and 5, as well as the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. Specifically,the package is in the form of an envelope 40 formed of an air and liquidimpervious material such as a plastic composition, aluminum or Mylar. Inthe packaging process, the skin patch 20 is received within the envelope40 and the envelope 40 interior is exhausted of all air to create avacuum therein. A vacuum seal 42 is provided to maintain the envelopepackage 40 airtight to thereby preserve the activated charcoalcomposition. Both the skin patch 20 and package interior should besterile at the time of packaging.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the skin patch isshown and is generally indicated as 20′. In this particular embodiment,the normally exposed surface of the charcoal composition 26 is coveredby a porous sheet 34. When applied to the skin, as seen in FIG. 6, theporous sheet 34 is positioned between the skin surface and the charcoalcomposition 26. The porous sheet 34 may be formed of a paper material,similar to that used for tea bags or filter in automatic drip coffeemachines.

In the preferred embodiment, the charcoal composition comprises a woodbase activated charcoal combined with a suitable host material toproduce a generally solid gel-like substance which can be formed in amold. The molded form of the activated charcoal composition can then besliced into layers of generally uniform thickness, in accordance withthe profile seen in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6. Alternatively, theactivated charcoal composition can be molded in the layered form,without subsequent slicing.

In a preferred embodiment, a suitable host material is psyllium husk.Other suitable host materials include: titanium oxide; zinc oxide; zincsilicate; calcium hydroxide; calcium silicate; aluminum oxide; aluminumsilicate; silica gel; magnesium oxide; and magnesium silicate. Fuller'searth, talcum powder, kaolin, desert clay, river clay and molecularsieves should work as suitable host materials if a high purity grade isused. Further suitable host materials include: starches (e.g. cornstarch, potato starch, or tapioca, instant or regular); and gels (e.g.vegetable or animal gelatins such as Knox or Emes Kosher Gels).

There are some gums which may also be suitable as host materialsincluding: methyl cellulose and related cellulose products; pectin;xanhan gum; gum tragacanth; gum Arabic; gum agar; guar gum; locust bean;karaya gum; acacia; gum ghatti; xanthan gum; carrageenans; alginates;agaroid; aragum; caragum; colloids; and freedom gum.

The charcoal skin patches of the embodiment shown throughout FIGS. 1through 6 are intended for topical application to the skin for thetreatment of numerous skin conditions and disorders including, but notlimited to: athlete's foot; bedsores; bee stings; boils; brown recluse;spider bites; bruises; burns; chigger bites; cuts; diabetic ulcers;disinfection and deodorizing of wounds; earaches; fire ant bites;gangrene; gout; gum infections; infected wounds and sores; inflammation;kidney and liver infections; menstrual cramps; migrate headaches;mosquito bites; nail fungus; post surgical wounds; scorpion stings;shingles; sinus infections; snake bites; sore throats; sprains andinjuries; tennis elbow; tight muscles; and toothaches.

A preferred embodiment of the charcoal composition and method ofmanufacture of the skin patch of the present invention is set forth inthe following example:

EXAMPLE 1

Ingredients Amount Activated charcoal 1 cup Whole psyllim husk 1 cupDistilled water 2 cups

METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

1. In a non-porous container add two (2) cups of distilled water.

2. Add one (1) cup activated charcoal powder.

3. Add one (1) cup whole psyllium husk.

4. Mix together until fully blended.

5. Pack into a container or mold of desired form or shape.

6. Refrigerate or freeze for several hours until mixture is firm.

7. Remove formed mixture from container.

8. Slice the formed mixture to produce slices having a generally uniformthickness of approximately {fraction (1/32)}-{fraction (1/16)} of aninch.

9. Attach slices to impervious backing sheets with or without adhesivepeel strip.

10. Insert backing sheet with attached slice into moisture barrierpackaging.

11. Vacuum seal package.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordancewith preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized thatdepartures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within thespirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the followingclaims and as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition for topical application to the skincomprising: adsorbent means for adsorbing toxins, bacteria, fungus,carcinogens and other harmful pathogens residing on or below the skinsurface, and said adsorbent means including activated, charcoal; andpsyllium husk as a host material.
 2. A patch for topical application tothe skin comprising: an impervious backing sheet; a composition on oneside of said backing sheet, said composition comprising: adsorbent meansfor adsorbing toxins, bacteria, fungus, carcinogens, and other harmfulpathogens residing on or below the skin surface, and said adsorbentmeans including activated charcoal; and psyllium husk as a hostmaterial.
 3. The patch as recited in claim 2 wherein said backing sheetcomprises an adhesive substance on a periphery of said one side andsurrounding said composition.
 4. The patch as recited in claim 3 furthercomprising a peel-away protective film for covering said adhesivesubstance on said periphery.
 5. The patch as recited in claim 3 furthercomprising a peel-away protective film for covering said composition andsaid adhesive substance.
 6. The patch as recited in claim 2 wherein saidhost material further comprises a fibrous cotton.
 7. A patch for topicalapplication to the skin comprising: an impervious backing sheet; acomposition on one side of said backing sheet, said compositioncomprising: activated charcoal; and psyllium husk as a host material.